Use A Jet Ski Cover After Winterizing

Jet skis can provide some of the most exciting fun you can have on the water. Whether you take your personal watercraft to the ocean or to a lake, there’s no question that they deliver a lot of fun in a smaller, more affordable package than a boat. But the fact is that just like boats, they’re a serious investment and one that you need to take care of. As the days get cooler and the summer turns into the fall, the time to properly winterize and store your watercraft is drawing near. There are plenty of things you need to do and plenty of reasons to do them, from a deep clean to the application of a good jet ski cover.

To start with, you really need to give your jet ski a good cleaning. This is especially true if you use your watercraft in the ocean since the saltwater can build up on the body and cause major damage, but all watercrafts need to be cleaned before putting a jet ski cover on them. If you don’t, mold and mildew could potentially develop on the surfaces of your jet ski. Be sure that you only use a cleanser that is actually approved for use in cleaning personal watercraft or boats. Plenty of people have done major damage to their jet ski’s paint or body by using cleansers not intended for them.

If there are specific shut down procedures you need to follow for your jet ski’s engine, follow them perfectly. Most people opt to let a mechanic handle the winterization of their jet ski, but you can easily buy a winterization kit that contains a few basic chemicals and shut it down yourself. This is usually the most complicated step, but it’s also one of the most important since going through a harsh winter can seriously damage a jet ski engine if it’s not taken care of properly.

Once you complete these steps you’ll be ready to put a jet ski cover over your watercraft. Some people park theirs in a garage or carport, but even there dust and other problems can occur. Putting a quality cover on the jet ski is always a good idea. And if you don’t have a sheltered area to store your jet ski, you absolutely need a cover. It’s not just for rain, like some people think. Jet skis are designed to get wet, so the rain isn’t really the major enemy. The sun, however, can cause serious body damage to your watercraft and adding a personal watercraft cover can help diminish the effects it will have on your jet ski.

Those effects include things like fading, cracking, and even peeling paint. The sun’s UV rays can damage the seats of your jet ski as well as the body. Falling debris or debris from high winds can collide with your watercraft as well. And of course, there’s always the chance of bird droppings landing right on your jet ski. Some unfortunate owners have found their jet skis caked in bird dropping after only a few weeks of storage. But a jet ski cover will safeguard against all of these effects and more. They’re vital for the protection of your investment, and will keep it in great shape until the weather warms up and you can head back out on the water.